She opened her mouth, not sure what to say to that, but a solution came to her fast. “We can stay in your bathroom. It’s huge.”
“They might have to bring in humans to fix it. No. I don’t trust them not to attempt to harm you. You’ll get mad if I kill them.”
Frustration rose, and Mary grit her teeth. He could be so paranoid.
“I can make a suggestion,” Jaded called out.
Lash snarled and turned his head. “I’m talking to my mate. Not you.”
“Stop being an ass,” Jaded growled. “You can stay in a suite on the top floor of the hotel with roof access. Justice keeps it available for when he and Jessie visit us. He likes to have an escape route. It would just be for a day, or maybe two. Work with me, damn it.”
Lash inched closer, wrapping his arm around her. “I don’t like feeling contained in one of the rooms up there. I’d rather take my mate to the Wild Zone.”
“I’ve been to your home, Lash. She’d be more comfortable here. Plus, you know the others will come visit you if they hear you’re back. I also doubt she’d like to eat just the fish or small game you hunted before moving to the hotel. The kitchen staff can still deliver meals if you remain inside the hotel. I’ll assign an officer to your door in case of attack if that makes you feel safer out of your lair.”
“We have air conditioning here. You said it’s out upstairs.”
Mary lifted her hand and smacked his chest. “But others don’t until it can get fixed. Stop being a jerk.”
He glanced down at her and amusement flashed in his eyes.
“You’re fucking with him right now, aren’t you?” she whispered.
He shrugged. “Maybe. I’m satisfied with going upstairs with you for a day or two if we have an armed Species outside our door.” His gaze lowered down her body. “You probably miss sunshine. I will agree to this.”
“I need clothes. You tore mine, and I don’t feel like walking through the hotel in a towel,” she softly admitted.
“My female wants clothing,” Lash stated loudly, holding her gaze. “Then we’ll leave.”
“You could put some on, too,” Jaded responded. “The towel does cover more than your usual attire, though.”
“My loincloths are comfortable.”
“Fine. You won’t leave your suite anyway once we escort you up there. Can I give your mate her phone? Oh, and please have her call Mel. She’s still upset with Snow over him leaving her friend down here. She’s worried.”
Lash released her. “Stay put this time. I don’t want you near other males.” He strode toward the group of Species. “Bring my mate clothes, and I’ll give her the phone.”
“We’ll be back in about ten minutes. I’ll find her something to wear.” Jaded handed him the cell. “Thank you for being reasonable.”
“Just don’t try to take her away,” Lash warned, the snarl returning to his voice. “She’s mine.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it. It’s clear she’s willing to stay with you. That was our main concern. It’s been alleviated. My word is true, Lash.” Jaded backed away, motioned with his head, and he left with the three other New Species.
Mary stepped out from behind the tree and sighed. “You like to be difficult with everyone in your life, don’t you? At least I know I’m not alone.”
“You’re never alone, Mary. You have a mate now. I’m going to get some of my loincloths. I’ll be right back.” He switched direction, ran, and leapt up into the air.
She watched him as he made his way safely to the bed. She leaned against the artificial trunk and closed her eyes once he was up there. Life with Lash would never be boring. “You forgot to give me my phone,” she yelled up at him.
“I didn’t forget.”
“Stubborn jerk,” she muttered fondly, then yelled again. “I really do need to put that outgoing message on it and call Mel.” It would also be nice to see if anyone had called her. She wasn’t about to mention that part, though.
Lash stripped one of his pillows of its case and used it to shove lotion, three loincloths, and one of his guns inside. The Species had sent Jaded to talk to him knowing he’d listen to his friend. Jaded was the one who’d taught him how to fire the guns he owned. He liked the male.
He studied his bed, wondering if he’d ever get to sleep in it again. Mary hated how high it was. Having a mate was more complicated than he’d imagined. That was okay, though. She was worth it.
He put on a loincloth, fisted the bag, and walked to the edge of the bed. He quickly jumped and used the smaller platforms until he hit the ground.
“Thank you for staying put, Mary.”
She nodded. “You’re welcome.”
He showed her the cell phone Jaded had given him. “You can make your calls.”
She lifted her hand and opened her palm.
He hesitated. “You said you’d stay with me. This isn’t a trick, is it? To bring humans here after you?” It would hurt badly if she betrayed him.
“I’m not going to dial 9-1-1 to tell them that I’m being seduced and kept as a sex slave by an extremely hot lion man who gives me amazing orgasms. Though it’s tempting just to hear what their reaction would be.” She grinned.
“That’s not funny.” He was flattered that she described him that way, though.
“It is a little. I’ll put it on speakerphone if you don’t trust me.” Her humor faded.
Had he hurt his mate’s feelings? “I trust you, Mary. I just don’t know if you’ve accepted that we’re mates yet. You still act like prey. It’s in your nature to run.”
She jerked her open palm. “Give me the phone. I’m going to stay with you, Lash. I could be pregnant by now. I’m not a total moron.”
“I never thought you were.” He still hesitated to give her the phone. “What do you mean by that? Humans are generally stupid, but not you, Mary. You’re different.”
“You don’t think much of humans. I don’t, either, come to think of it. I was there when those assholes came into the diner. They wanted to kill New Species. Now I could be carrying one. Plus, you’re growing on me. That is, when you’re not making me mad. But trust goes both ways. Give me my phone, please.”
He handed it over. “In the bathroom.” He glanced at the door. Jaded might be able to borrow clothes from one of the females living inside the hotel. It wouldn’t take much time if one were readily available for him to ask. “Let’s go.”
She turned and walked ahead of him. “They charged it. That was nice.”
“Charged what?”
“My phone.” She entered the bathroom and paused inside.
He watched her tap the screen, curious. He didn’t know much about devices. He’d been offered one but refused. “What are you doing?”
“Texting my parents. They want to know how Mel’s wedding was. You can read what I’m saying.” She suddenly stiffened and turned her head to peer up at him. “Sorry. I forgot. I’ll read it aloud. My mom says, ‘How was the wedding? You never said who Mel was marrying. Please tell me it wasn’t her Deputy Dud.’ I typed back, ‘It was great. No Deputy Dud. I’ll tell you about it when you’re in town or when we talk. I’m really busy so I can’t call right now, but I hope you and Dad are having a blast. Love you.’”
He couldn’t verify if she was telling him the truth but he hoped she was. “Thank you. Who is Deputy Dud and why didn’t you tell them about Snow? Do they hate Species?”
“They don’t hate New Species. Deputy Dud was a guy Mel dated for a short time when she first moved here. He works for Sheriff Cooper, obviously. He’s our police official in town. I didn’t tell them about Snow because it happened too fast. They might have been worried. Not because he’s New Species. It’s just that typically, people date and get married after a longer time. My parents love Mel. They’d be worried if they found out she married Snow within days of them getting together. I figure I’ll lie when they get back by saying she’d been seeing him for months but it had to be kept top secret.”